Falcons fine Takk McKinley after social-media outburst - AJC

[Goober Pyle 7,125]

by Jason Butt for the AJC

 

The Falcons fined defensive end Takk McKinley an undisclosed amount of money after he criticized the franchise via social media, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

On Wednesday, McKinley falsely claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Falcons declined two deals involving him, including one that would have returned a second-rounder after he requested a trade in 2019. Multiple people familiar with the Falcons' personnel decisions over the past two seasons said no proposals of that nature took place. Although the Falcons spoke with other teams about McKinley before Tuesday’s deadline, the compensation never reached an acceptable amount to make a potential trade.

After McKinley sent his tweet, which concluded with three clown emojis, Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris said the fourth-year defensive end was handling the situation immaturely and that he would be held accountable for his actions.

“The wrong way to go about is definitely the way Takk is handling it now with a pout,” Morris said Wednesday. "So, as soon as we get an opportunity to talk to him about those things, and how he’s handling that situation, that will be the first and foremost thing you handle first. Then you figure out getting him healthy as far as his groin and then you figure out if he’s even going to be on the team, if that’s even possible at this point.

“We’ll move forward and we’ll move forward swiftly and we’ll move on accordingly, but right now, the one thing I do know is he won’t be able to help us for the Denver Broncos (on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium).”

McKinley did not practice Thursday for the second consecutive day and won’t play this weekend as he continues to deal with a lingering groin injury. After what coaches determined to be a solid offseason and training camp, followed by a strong performance in the opener against the Seattle Seahawks, McKinley injured his groin in the first half of the Falcons' loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Since, the injury has been a burden as he’s appeared in only four total games this season.

McKinley, taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, has posted only one sack this season, which came on the first defensive play from scrimmage against the Seahawks. Although McKinley isn’t practicing because of injury at the moment, Morris did not rule out a possible suspension. However, it is unlikely the Falcons would cut McKinley as that would deny the team the opportunity to receive a 2022 compensatory pick if he signs with another club in free agency.

“There’s always an option to suspend and there’s always an option just not to play,” Morris said. “There’s always an option for us to do everything we do. I know a lot of his money is guaranteed, but we’ll obviously talk to (team president) Rich (McKay) about that and go through that whole process. Obviously, we’ll talk to Takk and get that thing done because we’re not going to sit here and talk about that through the papers or through media or however you want to do it. That’s a grown-man conversation with another grown man.”
 

 

[papachaz 18,839]

"that's a grown man conversation with another grown man"  gotta love that attitude from coach Morris, problem is, while Takk is definitely in a grown man's body, I have to admit to doubting the validity of a grown man mind in there lately

[D.B.N. 5,344]

Well I guess “fine me later” finally came to fruition 

[Wardog357 2,167]

Kudos to coach RM! 

[DriveHomeSafelyAtlantaWins 2,032]

I like the way Raheem is handling this. I don't want him to be our HC next year, and I won't change my mind on that, but my respect for him is growing.

[ya_boi_j 66,068]

Morris approach is changing my stance on him. Just need to see how the coaching goes the rest of the year. 

[RetroRoq 512]

Coach Morris is probably one of the 5 most consistently good Falcons over the last 5 years.

With an interim coach, seems it would be proper for McKay to make these types of statements.  Coach Morris is definitely in charge.

[AUTiger7222 6,747]

On 11/5/2020 at 7:06 PM, papachaz said:

"that's a grown man conversation with another grown man"  gotta love that attitude from coach Morris, problem is, while Takk is definitely in a grown man's body, I have to admit to doubting the validity of a grown man mind in there lately

Absolutely love the way Raheem Morris speaks. Despite the coaching blunder against the Lions (which he completely owned) I love what I'm hearing from him and everyone else should as well. This is a man that sounds like a leader. No stupid slogans. No excuses. Just the cold hard facts. The difference in the way the team has played also has me excited. I mentioned it before Quinn ever got fired that I would give Morris a long hard look. I'm telling you, this man might be just the man the Falcons need at the right time. Could you imagine, maybe it's time fate smiled upon the Falcons and for once the right coach is already in the building and ready to take the franchise to new heights? I can dream!!

[Cheyakita 846]

Who cares, Takk was a debacle the moment he was carrying his grandmas photo around on draft day. I knew the Falcons would draft the one lunatic and he hasn’t delivered. Can’t stay healthy and never really wanted to play here...cut bait and move on. 

[Exp 337]

Just a demonstration of holding players accountable for their actions. Gotta love it.

[Friendly Folk 1,480]

This team (and every team) needs a coach that is respected and no nonsense. 

[Friendly Folk 1,480]

9 hours ago, AUTiger7222 said:

Absolutely love the way Raheem Morris speaks. Despite the coaching blunder against the Lions (which he completely owned) I love what I'm hearing from him and everyone else should as well. This is a man that sounds like a leader. No stupid slogans. No excuses. Just the cold hard facts. The difference in the way the team has played also has me excited. I mentioned it before Quinn ever got fired that I would give Morris a long hard look. I'm telling you, this man might be just the man the Falcons need at the right time. Could you imagine, maybe it's time fate smiled upon the Falcons and for once the right coach is already in the building and ready to take the franchise to new heights? I can dream!!

I could see him as a Tomlin type coach. Well respected by the players but not necessarily the “players choice” (never works out). A coach that demands a businesslike approach  where the players know everything they do prepares them for the game. 

[Osiruz 10,079]

How much money can they realstically recoup with the fine? The guy makes 15K per game and plays like 5 games a year -all they probably got back was a food stamp lol.

[CrimsonFalcon 4,103]

37 minutes ago, Osiruz said:

How much money can they realstically recoup with the fine? The guy makes 15K per game and plays like 5 games a year -all they probably got back was a food stamp lol.

I would say more than likely it was a game check. 

[Vandy 39,436]

On 11/5/2020 at 7:06 PM, papachaz said:

"that's a grown man conversation with another grown man"  gotta love that attitude from coach Morris, problem is, while Takk is definitely in a grown man's body, I have to admit to doubting the validity of a grown man mind in there lately

The more I watch Raheem, the more he impresses me.

[Romfal 11,525]

On 11/5/2020 at 5:06 PM, papachaz said:

"that's a grown man conversation with another grown man"  gotta love that attitude from coach Morris, problem is, while Takk is definitely in a grown man's body, I have to admit to doubting the validity of a grown man mind in there lately

lately? hes been acting like a child since he got drafted

[papachaz 18,839]

1 hour ago, Romfal said:

lately? hes been acting like a child since he got drafted

well yeah, it's just been more 'out there' for us since quinn's gone there's not much else to cover 

[THEHEADCOACH 3,357]

Good! Im liking Morris more and more. 

[PokerSteve 27,306]

I like Morris and some of the things he's done, but I lost the feeling he was the right choice for permanent HC with the Dallas loss. Morris could probably be a decent coach, but I don't see any clear indication he could be a great coach, a SB winning coach. I don't yet see anything that puts him in the Belichick, Harbaugh, Payton, Carroll class.

If Blank and the new GM decide to give him the job, I'll support him and cheer for him, but I won't have a lot of confidence he's The Man without some impressive results, especially early in the season.

[kiwifalcon 19,440]

2 hours ago, Vandy said:

The more I watch Raheem, the more he impresses me.

He’s given me a moment of pause.

But if he brings it home again it’ll be hard to go past him.

I’m more worried about his assistants more than anything.

[AUTiger7222 6,747]

56 minutes ago, PokerSteve said:

I like Morris and some of the things he's done, but I lost the feeling he was the right choice for permanent HC with the Dallas loss. Morris could probably be a decent coach, but I don't see any clear indication he could be a great coach, a SB winning coach. I don't yet see anything that puts him in the Belichick, Harbaugh, Payton, Carroll class.

If Blank and the new GM decide to give him the job, I'll support him and cheer for him, but I won't have a lot of confidence he's The Man without some impressive results, especially early in the season.

Dallas lost?

[Falcanuck 10,532]

Takk is clearly milking injuries too. It's insane. It's like he thinks he's going to be paid this offseason. Dude is getting 1yr, 4mil MAX.

[papachaz 18,839]

2 hours ago, PokerSteve said:

I like Morris and some of the things he's done, but I lost the feeling he was the right choice for permanent HC with the Dallas loss. Morris could probably be a decent coach, but I don't see any clear indication he could be a great coach, a SB winning coach. I don't yet see anything that puts him in the Belichick, Harbaugh, Payton, Carroll class.

If Blank and the new GM decide to give him the job, I'll support him and cheer for him, but I won't have a lot of confidence he's The Man without some impressive results, especially early in the season.

I have a sneaky feeling he might be an 'interim' coach here for the next two years after this one

[papachaz 18,839]

11 hours ago, AUTiger7222 said:

Absolutely love the way Raheem Morris speaks. Despite the coaching blunder against the Lions (which he completely owned) I love what I'm hearing from him and everyone else should as well. This is a man that sounds like a leader. No stupid slogans. No excuses. Just the cold hard facts. The difference in the way the team has played also has me excited. I mentioned it before Quinn ever got fired that I would give Morris a long hard look. I'm telling you, this man might be just the man the Falcons need at the right time. Could you imagine, maybe it's time fate smiled upon the Falcons and for once the right coach is already in the building and ready to take the franchise to new heights? I can dream!!

someone recently told me 'slow your roll there sparky'......and I liked it, LOL  so I'll tell you the same. 

Having said that, I don't DISAGREE that maybe, just maybe his second op could be better than the mess he had in TB. So let's win a lot of games the rest of the way, seeing improved play across the board on both sides of the ball. Let's see players who got snaps because they were 'coach favorites' but weren't getting it done get benched, and other guys given a chance. I liked that Ollison was active, just wish he'd gotten more than that one snap. 

[UK13 655]

"Compensation never reached a acceptable amount"  ... in reality they weren't even offered a bologna sandwich for him